Winemaker Notes
The fruit comes on with the juicy purity of a handful of ripe dark berries. Texturally, it has a feel that is bold and gulpable, the fruit is deep and saturating on the palate, but there are barely any perceptible tannins to contend with.
It’s the perfect wine for a BBQ get together where you want to share a wine that is interesting but also fun and easy drinking.
This wine is sulfite-free.
Blend: 50% Syrah, 50% Grenache
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2017 Sans Soufre Ajoute John Sebastiano is a blend of 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah. Medium ruby-purple, it has a very savory nose: smoked meats, peppered salami, crushed stone and olive with a core of red and black berries. The palate is medium-bodied and delicate, with pure fruit expression balanced by those savory accents. It has a frame of grainy tannins and enough juicy acidity on the long finish. 195 cases produced.
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Wine & Spirits
A 50/50 blend of grenache and syrah without any added sulfur, this has a smoky, heady exuberance, with scents of smoke, bacon, clove and blackberry, and silky, exotic flavors. It has a short shelf life—two days stored in the fridge was probably one day too many— but it’s a joyous flash in the pan for chilling and pouring alongside a casual meal.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The Ojai Vineyard Sans Soufre à Jouté (no sulfites added) is a brave experiment that Co-Proprietor Adam Tolmach began a few years ago. His goal was to produce wines beyond "correct." The 2017 vintage is impressive. Its cutting edge aromas and flavors of ripe berries and brisk minerality should pair well with an oven-baked game hen in a wine reduction white wine sauce. (Tasted: July 11, 2019, San Francisco, CA)
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Jeb Dunnuck
A blend of Grenache and Syrah, the 2017 Ajoute John Sebastiano Vineyard Sans Soufre is a forward, straight up delicious effort loaded with notions of blue fruits, violets, ground pepper, and background meatiness. Nicely balanced, with ripe tannins and medium-bodied richness and depth, drink it over the coming 2-4 years.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
A superior source of California Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills is the coolest, westernmost sub-region of the larger Santa Ynez Valley appellation within Santa Barbara County. This relatively new AVA is unquestionably one to keep an eye on.
The climate of Sta. Rita Hills is a natural match for Chardonnay and Pinot noir, thanks to the crisp ocean breezes and well-drained, limestone-rich calcareous soil. Here, grapes ripen just enough, while retaining brisk acidity and harmonious balance.